SHELBYVILLE, IN – Jockey Sophie Doyle became the first woman in history to win the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) when her steed Street Band won Saturday’s edition at Indiana Grand.
Breaking from post 5 under Doyle as the 3/1 second choice, Street Band stalked from midpack while the 2/1 favorite Kim K posted opening fractions of :23.83, :47.73, and 1:11.62. Splitting rivals at the 3/8 pole, Street Band made a strong sweeping move through the far turn and emerged at the top of the stretch with a growing lead.
Kept just to a mild drive in the stretch, the Larry Jones trainee crossed with an effortless 3 1/2-length advantage in a final time of 1:43.01 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.
Sundaysatthebeach posed no threat for the winner but did rally past everyone else to take second by 1 1/4 lengths. Chocolate Kisses took third ahead of High Regard, while Kim K faded to fifth, a neck ahead of With Dignity, with the same gap between Hallawallah and Blessed Again for seventh. Shacklette, Drinking Dixie, Sally’s Curlin, and Sweet Diane completed the order of finish.
Street Band’s win was her second at the graded level, having taken the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) two starts back in March. The 3-year-old daughter of Istan improved her record to 10-4-0-2 with $434,425 earned for Larry Jones, Cindy Jones, Ray Francis (who all co-bred her), Medallion Racing, and MyRacehorse.com.
Street Band returned $8.20 to win, $5.60 to place, and $3.60 to show. Sundaysatthebeach brought back $9.40 to place and $5.80 to show, while Chocolate Kisses paid $5 to show.
